Online MSW Programs with a Clinical Social Work Concentration (Online LCSW Programs)

Master of Social Work (MSW) programs with a clinical concentration are designed to help prepare students to become licensed clinical social workers (LCSW). In addition to foundation level social work courses, they focus on the skills needed to provide social work services and treatment to individuals (children, youth, and adults) and small groups (couples and families). Students are taught advanced assessment techniques, how to diagnose and treat psychosocial problems, and how to develop, promote, and restore mental health and social functioning. In addition, students are taught how to evaluate their own practice and intervention techniques. Currently, there are 22 online MSW programs accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) that offer a clinical or mental health concentration.

All Online MSW Programs with Clinical Social Work/Mental Health Concentration

Requirements for Clinical Social Work Licensing

An MSW from a graduate program accredited by the CSWE is required to become an LCSW in the United States. While the terms are sometimes used synonymously, schools do not directly offer “LCSW programs;” they offer MSW programs. However, students who wish to pursue licensing following graduation may want to consider an online MSW program with a clinical concentration, depending on their state of residence.

Licensing for social workers is determined by state-specific social work licensing boards. Therefore, licensing requirements vary by state. Students should research the requirements for licensing in their state of residence to ensure that the MSW program they choose will meet the requirements for licensing. In some states, it is not required to complete an MSW program with a clinical concentration to become an LCSW. In these situations, students may be required to complete additional coursework in order to meet the requirements for licensing. However, some states do have specific requirements that students need to be aware of if they plan to pursue a career as an LCSW after graduation.

For example, New York requires applicants to have completed at least 12 hours of clinical coursework. In this case, coursework may be completed during or after an MSW program (restrictions may apply). In Florida, applicants are required to have provided clinical services directly to clients during at least one of their field education placements. In New Hampshire, the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice requires applicants to complete at least one year of face-to-face instruction during their MSW program; therefore, students are actually required to attend a campus or hybrid program if they want to pursue licensing after graduation.

Check out our resource section for more information on how to become a licensed clinical social worker. To become an LCSW, students must have dedication and commitment; earning an MSW is just the first step. Licensing typically takes two to three years post-graduation and requires a significant amount of work experience in the field.

Become a Clinical Social WorkerSocial workers are on the front lines in counseling, mental health, substance abuse, child welfare, and crisis response. Consider supporting those in your community by furthering your education with an online masters in social work from the Fordham University.Earn your Master of Social Work online from the top-ranked Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service.Request more information from OnlineMSW@Fordham!

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Coursework for Online MSW Programs with a Clinical Concentration

While specific courses for online MSW degree programs vary, students should expect to take coursework in the following areas:

Clinical Social Work Practice: Individuals (Children, Youth and Adults) and Small Groups (Couples and Families)

Mental Health and Human Behavior

Psychopathology

Clinical Assessment and Diagnosis

Evaluation of Research Methods and Social Work Practice

In addition to coursework, all students are required to complete field education at a local health services agency. Typically, students in traditional MSW programs complete their clinical field rotation during their advanced standing year in the program (i.e. second year for full-time programs).

Online Clinical Social Work Programs (Schools are Listed Alphabetically)

There are 22 schools that offer CSWE accredited online Master of Social Work programs with a clinical social work or mental health concentration. Click on the school name for more information about the program,admission requirements, tuition information, and more. As with all degree programs, this information can change at any time (especially tuition costs, student eligibility and admission requirements), so students should speak with an admission advisor before applying to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information.

Program InformationStructure: Online with field work (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Specialist Phase - Clinical or Community Practice Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options Instruction Methods: Program has both synchronous and asynchronous instruction.

Program OverviewProgram Name: Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Graduate Program

Program InformationStructure: Online with field work (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Advanced Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options Instruction Methods: Program mainly uses asynchronous instruction and students can access course materials at times that are convenient for them. However, some instructors may hold live synchronous discussions with students.

Eligibility Restrictions: Program does not currently accept students from Alabama, DC, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky or North Carolina.

Program InformationStructure: Online with field education experiences (no campus visits or residency requirements) Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Program has both synchronous and asynchronous instruction – students are notified in advance and the face-to-face components are at pre-determined times

Eligibility Restrictions: Program is not available to students who reside within the Massachusetts route 128 corridor or for students who live in New Hampshire or Maryland

Program OverviewProgram Name: Online Master of Science in Social Administration (MSSA)

Program InformationStructure: Online with field instruction (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Direct Practice: Children, Youth and Families (CYF) or Mental Health/Adult (MHA) Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Part-Time Only (online students are categorized as full-time students) Instruction Methods: Program is designed for working professionals with eight week courses – program follows a cohort model (although students may enter or leave cohorts) with both synchronous and asynchronous instruction depending on the course and instructor.

Eligibility Restrictions: Program does not currently accept students who are residents of Alabama

Program InformationStructure: Online with field education (students must visit the campus twice during the program for orientation and a final Capstone Integrative Project) Concentrations: Advanced Clinical Social Work Practice Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options Instruction Methods: Program combines synchronous real-time instruction using Adobe Connect with offline learning through the Canvas learning management system

Eligibility Restrictions: Program currently only accepts students from New Jersey and who live in the following metropolitan areas: New York City, Albany, Buffalo, and Syracuse (NY); Hartford and Stamford (CT); Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg (PA); Washington, D.C.; Miami/West Palm Beach (FL); Chicago (IL); San Antonio, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Austin, and Houston (TX); San Francisco and Los Angeles (CA)

Program InformationStructure: Online with field placements Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Practice Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: The majority of instruction is asynchronous and students typically take two courses per semester. Traditional program requires four weekend skill building sessions that are located within driving distance of FSU’s coverage areas. These skill building sessions are not required for students in the advanced standing program.

Eligibility Restrictions: Program only accepts students from specific counties in the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota (http://csw.fsu.edu/academics/master-of-social-work/msw-online/coverage-programs/)

Program Information – Traditional StudentsStructure: Online with field placements (no requirement for online students to attend campus) Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Most courses have asynchronous instruction and do not require students to be online at specific times. Program follows a cohort model with courses that are eight weeks in length – students typically take two courses in the Fall and Spring and one course in the Summer.

Eligibility Restrictions: Program only accepts students from Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

Program InformationStructure: Online with field education (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Advanced Direct Social Work Practice Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Full-Time or Part-Time (Traditional Students); Full-Time Only (Advanced Standing) Instruction Methods: Program uses asynchronous instruction and courses are 7 weeks long allowing students to start the program at various times throughout the year

Eligibility Restrictions: Program does not currently accept students from Alabama, Georgia, Massachusetts and Washington

Program OverviewProgram Name: Online MSW program in Clinical Social Work

Program InformationStructure: Online with field placements (courses are 100% online) Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Classes are asynchronous and typically do not meet at set times. Third year students in their advanced clinical courses will have the option of either asynchronous or synchronous instruction if they wish to meet in real-time with teachers and classmates.

Program InformationStructure: Online with field experience (note: students must visit the campus one weekend during the summer) Concentrations: Advanced Clinical Practice Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Full-Time or Part-Time (Traditional Students); Full-Time Only (Advanced Standing) Instruction Methods: Program has sequential classes that must be taken in order – courses have weekly evening classes with synchronous instruction that requires students to be online at specific times. Students must also attend a one weekend seminar on campus during the summer.

Eligibility Restrictions: Program only accepts students who are residents and live in the following states: Florida, Georgia and Virginia

Program InformationStructure: Online with field education (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Clinical Social Work with specializations: Child and Family, Trauma and Interpersonal Violence, Mental Health and Addictions, Health and Aging Degree Types: Traditional Standing Program Options: Full-Time or Part-Time (Traditional Students) Instruction Methods: Program follows a cohort model and classes use synchronous instruction where students attend live seminar-style classes and discussions – classes are small with no more than 15 students

Program OverviewProgram Name: Online Clinical Master of Social Work (MSW)

Program InformationStructure: Online with field education (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Clinical Concentration Degree Options: Traditional Standing Only Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Program follows a cohort model but exceptions can be made in the event that a student needs to take some time off – program has year-round classes and the majority of instruction should be asynchronous

Program InformationStructure: Online with field instruction (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Evidence-based practice with a trauma-informed and human rights perspective Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Program follows a cohort model – all foundation level courses are offered online and several advanced year study courses are also available online, depending on the electives chosen, students can complete the degree with 100% online classes

Program InformationStructure: Online with field education (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Behavioral Health and Child Welfare Services Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Program uses a cohort model and courses are 7.5 weeks long – students take one course per term

Eligibility Restrictions: Program does not currently accept students from Minnesota, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and Tennessee

Program InformationStructure: Online with field work (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Clinical Practice: Health and Behavioral Health Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Program uses a cohort model and classes use both synchronous and asynchronous instruction

Program InformationStructure: Online with field placements (no campus visits or residency requirements) Concentrations: Clinical Practice: Individual, Families, and Groups (IFG) Degree Options: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Part-Time Only (Part-Time and Accelerated Part-Time) Instruction Methods: Program follows a cohort model with a set plan of study – instruction is asynchronous and there are no set times students have to log in to attend live classes

Program InformationStructure: Online with field education (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Health and Mental Health; Addictions and Substance Abuse; Children, Youth, and Families; Disabilities Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only Program Options: Full-Time Only Instruction Methods: Program follows a cohort model, but since the program accepts three cohorts per year, there is some flexibility for students in the program if needed. The majority of courses will have asynchronous instruction, however, some courses (particulary the practice courses) may require students to attend in real-time to interact with instructors and classmates (synchronous instruction).

Program InformationStructure: Online with field placements (no campus visits or residency requirements) Concentrations: Evidence Based Interpersonal Practice (Clinical) Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Full-Time and Part-Time Options Instruction Methods: Both asynchronistic and synchronistic instruction – online students will know well in advance when evening lectures or discussions are scheduled. For students who live within driving distance of the Nashville campus (but are outside of 25 miles), some classes may meet on Saturdays (usually no more than three times per semester), but online students are all online.

Program InformationStructure: Online with field practice (no campus requirement) Concentrations: Direct Practice with Children and Families Degree Types: Traditional and Advanced Standing Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Program follows a cohort model – program may have both synchronous and asynchronous instruction as it depends on the class and instructor

Currently the program is only open to Texas residents living within Texas

Program InformationStructure: Online with field instruction (no campus visits required) Concentrations: Clinical Social Work Specializing in Trauma Degree Types: Traditional Standing Only Program Options: Part-Time Only Instruction Methods: Program follows a fixed curriculum path with electives and the majority of instruction is asynchronous.

COMPARE ONLINE MSW PROGRAMS

CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE

States vary in the requirements they establish for clinical social work licensure. In addition, the designation granted to licensed clinical social workers varies by state and includes: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW), and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Furthermore, specific privileges and standards that apply to social workers holding this credential vary depending on state regulations.

BE INFORMED

Please take a minute and read our disclaimers page as licensing requirements for social workers vary by state. Prospective students should check with their state’s social work licensing board and speak with an admissions counselor about state specific requirements before applying to a program.

Overall tuition costs are estimated based on the cost per credit hour multiplied by the number of credits needed to graduate. Tuition rates displayed on the site are not guaranteed and may not include university fees or other expenses. For the most up-to-date information, speak with an admission advisor for current tuition rates.

FOR STUDENTS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

For students in New Hampshire who wish to pursue a career in clinical social work, the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health Practice requires students to attend a hybrid or on-campus program in order to meet licensing requirements.